Equine diseases encompass a wide range of health conditions that can affect horses, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic conditions. These diseases can impact the overall health, performance, and well-being of horses. Common equine diseases include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis and management of these diseases often require a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and appropriate treatment strategies. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for various equine diseases, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and researchers in the field.
Chaffin MK, Fuenteabla IC, Schumacher J, Welch RD, Edwards JF.The medical records of 11 horses with idiopathic muscular hypertrophy (MH) of the small intestine were reviewed to determine the clinical and pathological features of the disease. The median age of affected horses was 10.0 years (range 5-18 years). No breed or sex predisposition was apparent. Ten horses (91%) had chronic (23 days to 2.4 years) signs of mild, intermittent colic, and 1 horse had signs of severe colic of only 3 days' duration. Partial anorexia and chronic weight loss of variable duration (1-6 months) were prominent historical findings in 5 (45%) horses. Diagnostic tests, with the...
Gillis JP, Zardiackas LD, Gilbert JA, St John KR.Paired equine third metacarpal bones were drilled and tapped for 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm cortical screws. Tapping was done by hand or with an air-driven reversible orthopedic drill. Screws were inserted and subjected to extraction forces to failure of the osseous threads or the screws. There was no difference in holding power of either screw size between hand-tapped and power-tapped holes.
Linford RL, McCue PM, Montavon S, Lasley BL.A cannulation technique was developed to collect blood samples from the ovarian vein of mares over an extended period. Ovarian venous cannulae placed in 4 mares remained patent for a mean (+/- SEM) duration of 36.8 (+/- 6.2) days. During mid-diestrus, concentrations of progesterone in the ovarian vein ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (1,663.8 +/- 238.8 ng/ml) were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than concentrations measured in paired samples from the jugular vein (6.1 +/- 0.3 ng/ml). Concentration of estradiol in the ovarian vein ranged from a mean of 1,053.2 +/- 303.1 pg/ml during di...
Mutoh K, Watanabe S, Wakuri H.The glands of pelvis renalis in adult and fetal horses were examined by histochemically. The glandular terminal was divided into two types, intraepithelial gland (IE) and extraepithelial gland (EE) by their locations and histochemical characters. Both glands were composed of mucous cells. The former lay in the transitional epithelium and were stained reddish with galactose oxidase-Schiff (GOS) and mild oxidation-Schiff (MOS), bluish purple with periodic acid-cold thionine Schiff-NaOH-PAS (PCP). The latter distributed in the lamina propria, but was not discovered in the fetus. They were stained...
Berry CR, Pool RR, Stover S, O'Brien TR, Koblik PD.The source of a previously described radiolucent crescent in the flexor cortex of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone on the palmaro45 degrees proximal-palmarodistal oblique (Pa45 degrees Pr-PaDio) clinical radiographic projection was investigated in 48 forelimb navicular bones from 24 Thoroughbreds by use of high-detail radiography and x-ray computed tomography (CT). Twenty-five of these bones also were evaluated, using microradiography and histologic examinations. Of these 25 bones, 5 had been labeled in vivo with fluorochrome markers. Tetrachrome-stained 100-microns-thick nondecalcified se...
Murphy TW, McCollum WH, Timoney PJ, Klingeborn BW, Hyllseth B, Golnik W, Erasmus B.Equine arteritis virus (EAV), a non-arthropod borne togavirus, has been shown to have a global distribution. To date, no major antigenic variation has been demonstrated between EAV isolates from different geographic origins. In this study, the genomic RNA of EAV isolates obtained from horses of different breeds in various countries around the world was oligonucleotide fingerprinted. Comparisons of these fingerprints were used to determine the extent of genomic variation among such isolates. Comparisons among isolates from North American horses revealed, for the most part, oligonucleotide homol...
Geiser DR, Rohrbach BW.End-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PetCO2) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) were determined and compared in isoflurane-anesthetized spontaneously breathing equine neonates. End-tidal carbon dioxide and PaCO2 values increased with respect to time. Difference between values of PetCO2 and PaCO2 increased over time. End-tidal carbon dioxide tension was useful to predict changes in and was more closely correlated with PaCO2 early in the anesthetic period (T less than or equal to 60 minutes). The dead space volume to tidal volume (Vd/Vt) ratio increased with respect to time, indicating inc...
O'Brien MA, Holmes MA, Duffus WP.Anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) antibody (Ig) levels in the supernatant of cultured, pre-immunised equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Optimal anti-TT Ig production occurred at concentrations of stimulating, purified TT of between 0.001 and 0.1 micrograms ml-1, which varied depending on the cell concentration. Optimal anti-TT Ig production was most consistently produced when the cell concentration was 5 x 10(6) ml-1. At this cell concentration maximal anti-TT Ig was induced using 0.1 micrograms ml-1 TT. At a cell c...
MacAllister CG, Sangiah S, Mauromoustakos A.Using video gastroscopy, the efficacy of a Histamine-H2 type receptor antagonist (WY 45, 727) was investigated in young ponies with spontaneous and experimentally induced gastric ulcers. Oral administration of WY 45, 727 at 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of body weight every 12 hours for 14 days resulted in complete healing of spontaneous gastric ulcers in the non-glandular portion of the stomach in 2/5 (40%) and 3/4 (75%) of the ponies, respectively, compared (P < 0.05) to 0/5 (0%) placebo-treated ponies. After intramuscular administration of flunixin meglumine at 1.5 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours fo...
Hanie EA, Sullins KE, Powers BE, Nelson PR.The effect of lesion depth on the quality of third carpal bone cartilage repair was examined. A 1-cm diameter articular defect penetrating the calcified cartilage in one limb and the subchondral bone plate in the opposite limb was created in the radial facet of the third carpal bones. Clinical and xeroradiographic examinations were performed every 4 weeks until 4 months (3 horses) and 6 months (3 horses) after surgery. The synovial membrane, non-opposing articular surfaces and articular defects were examined grossly, histologically and histochemically. Grossly, deeper defects contained thicker...
Gross TS, McLeod KJ, Rubin CT.Three triple-element rosette strain gages were attached to the equine third metacarpal midshaft to record site-specific strains engendered by locomotion. The distribution of strains acting upon the midshaft cross section were characterized using a combined beam theory and finite element model analysis that did not presume the manner by which the bone was inertially loaded. A medium-speed trot (3.6 ms-1) was chosen as a representative speed and gait, with normal and shear strains, and strain energy density (SED) distributions determined throughout the stance and subsequent swing phase. Importan...
Matthews NS, Miller SM, Hartsfield SM, Slater MR.Recovery from isoflurane anesthesia was shorter, with no difference in quality, compared with halothane anesthesia in 2 groups of horses. In 1 group, 12 horses scheduled for elective arthroscopy were randomly assigned to receive halothane or isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia during surgery. In the other group, 6 horses received anesthesia only, on 2 occasions, with halothane on 1 occasion, and isoflurane on the other. Difference in the quality of recovery was not seen between isoflurane and halothane anesthesia in either group. In the group that had surgery, recovery to sternal position...
Poulos PW.Adequate radiographic evaluation of the horse relevant to purchase examination requires the successful integration of technique, interpretation, and reporting. A thorough knowledge of lameness and disease can be masked by incorrect interpretation resulting from poor-quality films or an incomplete examination. Thus, care must be taken to produce an adequate number of high-quality films on which to base a report, which allows you to describe changes that are present. This information, coupled with your physical examination, other laboratory data, and the knowledge of the expressed use of the hor...
The Journal of nutritionAugust 11, 1992
Volume 122, Issue 8 1706-1716 doi: 10.1093/jn/122.8.1706
Wang E, Ross PF, Wilson TM, Riley RT, Merrill AH.Consumption of food contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme causes leucoencephalomalacia and hepatotoxicity in horses, pulmonary edema in pigs and liver cancer in rats, and has been correlated with esophageal cancer in humans. The causative agents are thought to be a family of compounds called fumonisins, which have recently been shown to be potent inhibitors of sphingosine (sphinganine) N-acyltransferase. Because inhibition at this step blocks the formation of complex sphingolipids while leading to accumulation of sphinganine, we hypothesized that exposure of animals to fumonisin-contaminated ...
Asbury AC.Medical examination of the reproductive system of mares or stallions relevant to purchase is complex, imprecise, and potentially hazardous legally. In these ways it does not differ from other examinations of animals in which purchase is the objective. It is the responsibility of the veterinary profession to undertake these assignments and complete them as conscientiously as possible. After the examination is completed, communication with the principals and documentation of the procedures are essential to success and to the satisfaction of all involved.
Kudlac E, Grygar J.The frequency of double ovulation and the chances of twin pregnancy in the mare are presented with reference to the relevant literature. A novel manual technique for reducing the embryo number from two to one is introduced and illustrated by ultrasonographic images.
Anderson GF.The equine hoof and foot are the most commonly affected anatomic sites of lameness encountered during purchase examination of the performance horse. This article presents a thorough, systematic approach to the clinical evaluation of the hoof and foot relevant to the pre-purchase examination. Normal and abnormal conditions are discussed with reference to their potential effects on future performance and soundness. Proper trimming, balancing, and shoeing principles are emphasized.
Reed SM.The veterinarian needs to be able to incorporate an accurate neurologic examination as a portion of the pre-purchase evaluation. Subtle neurologic deficits may be hidden by musculoskeletal disease or missed as a result of lack of knowledge or understanding of these disorders. It is important to known which musculoskeletal disorders are commonly associated with neurologic disease to better assist the buyer with the decision about whether to purchase the animal.
Schusser GF, Obermayer-Pietsch B.The plasma gastrin levels in fasted horses (21.1 +/- 15.6 pg/ml), in horses with spasmodic colic (7.3 +/- 5.4 pg/ml) and in horses with impaction of the left ventral large colon and/or pelvic flexure (11.4 +/- 3.1 pg/ml) were not significantly different. The plasma gastrin concentrations of horses with strangulation obstruction of the small intestine, large colon displacement or adynamic ileus, and which had no gastric reflux, were 12.9 +/- 8.7 pg/ml and did not differ from fasted gastrin levels. Horses which had 5-10 litres of stomach content reflux had a higher mean gastrin level (32.2 +/- 2...
Hoch DH, Salazar AM, Cabin HS, Young LH.Angiography in a 30-year-old man revealed the unique combination of aortic coarctation and an unusual arch anomaly. Proximal to the coarctation, a single arch vessel trifurcated into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. This anomalous arch vessel is a normal equine variant.
Couto MA, Harwig SS, Cullor JS, Hughes JP, Lehrer RI.Endogenous, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides known as defensins are prominent components of human, rabbit, and rat neutrophils, yet little is known about their occurrence in other mammalian species. Although we did not detect mature (i.e., processed) defensins in equine neutrophil granules, we found that these granules contained small amounts of other cysteine-rich peptides with antimicrobial activity. One of these, eNAP-1, was purified by a combination of gel permeation and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography from acid extracts prepared from the cytoplasmic granules of e...
Laviada MD, Babín M, Dominguez J, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM.A sandwich enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA) for rapid detection of African horsesickness virus (AHSV) in infected spleens or cell culture supernatant was developed. This method uses two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which recognize two non-overlapping epitopes of the major core protein (VP7) to coat the solid phase, and one labeled with biotin as second antibody. This ELISA was evaluated for its ability to detect AHSV in infected spleens resulting in a sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 100% compared with virus isolation in cell culture, and can be used for the detection of the n...
Evans DR.In reporting the results of the medical examination for purchase, the veterinarian should not make an evaluation as to the animal's suitability for the purpose intended but should rather reveal all of the abnormal and undesirable findings and give his or her opinion as to the effect these findings will have on the performance of the horse for the purpose intended. A written report should be provided, and any factors that have had an influence on the opinion rendered should be a part of the report. A record of all procedures performed, the results of these procedures, the names and addresses of...
Lavach D.Performance and pleasure horses depend upon their ability to see and assess the environment. Thus, the veterinarian must be able to examine the eyes and recognize abnormalities so that the owner or purchaser can be informed about the visual status and prognosis for the horse's vision. If the veterinarian encounters suspicious or abnormal findings during the examination, a more detailed examination and/or referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist can be recommended to the owner or purchaser.
Fregin GF.The approach to pre-purchase evaluation of the equine cardiovascular system is discussed with emphasis on cardiac auscultation and on the terminology that should be used when reporting clinical findings. Innocent cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias are contrasted with those that should be considered as reliable signs of cardiovascular disease. Ultrasonography and electrocardiography are recommended to establish baseline values for future reference, to support opinions rendered by the examining veterinarians, or to provide for diagnosis and treatment.
Haynes PF.The intent and extent of the respiratory tract examination relevant to purchase are dictated by numerous factors, including historical information, signs suggestive of respiratory tract abnormalities, intended use of the horse, and economic considerations. Following a thorough and systematic examination of the horse at rest, evaluation during and following exercise may be warranted. The physical examination should include evaluation of regional symmetry of the head, neck, and thorax; evaluation of nasal airflow and patency; palpation of the nasal septum, larynx, and trachea; examination for su...
Jarosinski SK, Sampson SN, Russell L.Injection of the centrodistal (CD) joint in the horse is a commonly performed procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This procedure can be technically challenging, and while radiographic guidance has been previously used, ultrasound localised injection of the CD joint has not been described. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of using ultrasound localisation to increase the accuracy of CD joint injection. Methods: Experimental method assessment. Methods: One operator performed the ultrasound and injection of 24 CD joints in 12 sedated horses. T...
Larson VL, Busch RH.Differential cell counts were done on bronchial lavage specimens from 166 horses. Postmortem gross and histologic examinations were done to determine the pathologic diagnosis of the lungs from these horses. Ninety-two (55%) were normal, 18 (11%) had interstitial pneumonia, 13 (8%) had bronchopneumonia, 13 (8%) had focal eosinophilia, 11 (7%) had diffuse eosinophilia, 11 (7%) had chronic bronchitis, and 8 (5%) had suppurative bronchitis. Little relationship was found between cellular features of the lavage specimens and the pathologic status of the lungs of individual horses.
Risso A, Campos G, Garcia H, Zerpa H.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne infectious disease highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Venezuela. EP affects wild and domestic equids leading to several clinical presentations, from asymptomatic to severely affected animals. In this study, thirty-three (33) sport horses under regular training activities and from endemic regions of north-central Venezuela were submitted to an observational survey, case-control, to describe the presence of clinical signs and natural EP infections. A conventional PCR assay targeting the SSU rRNA gene revealed EP etiologic agent...
Ryu SH, Bak UB, Lee CW, Lee YL.A 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare, retired from race, was admitted to Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Association with signs of colic. One and a half months following the previous treatment (second time) and 11 days following her previous discharge (third time), the mare repeatedly exhibited signs of colic and finally along with icteric eyes. Routine medical treatment with intravenous fluids, analgesics resulted in resolution of signs of colic in the first and second admission. The condition of the mare did not improve in the third admission despite over one month supportive treatment and she was ...
Rahnama S, Vathsangam N, Spence R, Anderson ST, de Laat MA, Bailey S, Sillence MN.Prolonged hyperinsulinemia is thought to be the cause of equine endocrinopathic laminitis, a common and crippling disease of the foot, for which there are no pharmacologic treatments other than pain relief. It has been suggested that insulin causes its effects on the lamellae by activating IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R), as insulin receptors (InsR) are scarce in this tissue, whereas IGF-1R are abundant and become downregulated after prolonged insulin infusion. As a first step toward confirming this mechanism and beginning to develop a therapeutic anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody (mAb) for horses, it ...
Hornyák A, Bakonyi T, Kulik M, Kecskeméti S, Rusvai M.The occurrence of two important pathogens, equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) causing abortions, perinatal foal mortality and respiratory disease, was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation to demonstrate the presence of abortigenic viruses in samples from 248 horse fetuses in Hungary. We found 26 EHV1- and 4 EAV-positive aborted or prematurely born foals from 16 and 4 outbreaks, respectively, proving that despite the widely applied vaccination, EHV1 is a far more important cause of abortions in the studs than EAV. We compared the virus co...
Ayad A, Besseboua O, Aissanou S, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Piórkowska K, Musiał AD, Długosz B, Kozłowska A, Ropka-Molik K.Genetic disorders are recognised as hereditary diseases with the most significant economic impact on horse breeding, causing important foal losses, costs of treatments of horses, and maintenance of the mare during the pregnancy. The Selle Francais horses are recognized in many countries and are showing great results in equestrian sports around the world (dressage, show jumping and eventing). The study aimed to detect the presence of three mutant alleles associated with inherited diseases including Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS), Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) ...
Swanson CR, Muir WW.The influence of pharmacologic enhancement of cardiac output on the alveolar-to-arterial oxygen tension (difference (P[A-a]O2), physiologic right-to-left shunt fraction (Qs/Qt), and physiologic dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) ws studied in halothane-anesthetized horses in left lateral, right lateral, and dorsal recumbencies. Adult horses were anesthetized, using xylazine (2.2 mg/kg, IM), guaifenesin (50 mg/kg, IV), thiamylal (4.4 mg/kg, IV), and halothane (1.5% to 2% inspired) in 100% O2. Mechanical ventilation was controlled to maintain arterial eucapnia (PaCO2) 35 to 45 mm of Hg) fo...
Carstanjen B, Hoyle NR, Gabriel A, Hars O, Sandersen C, Amory H, Remy B.To evaluate a human assay for quantification of carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), assess the influence of age on plasma CTX-I concentration, investigate the relationship between plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations, and determine whether concentrations of plasma CTX-I or serum osteocalcin fluctuate in circadian manner in horses. HORSES: 75 clinically normal horses. Methods: Cross-reactivity between equine serum CTX-I and CTX-I antibodies in an automated electrochemiluminescent sandwich antibody assay (ECLIA) was evaluated via a specificity test...
Muylle S, Simoens P, Lauwers H.The objective of this study was to examine the diameter, extent, orientation and contents of dentinal tubules in order to validate the hypothesis of pigment penetration into the dental star of equine incisival occlusal surfaces. The time of appearance and the configuration of the dental star on the incisival occlusal surface are macroscopically visible features that, along with other more reliable parameters, are used for the determination of horses' age. Although dental stars are an integral part of the equine incisor occlusive surface, the exact nature and microstructure of the dental star a...
Ilić T, Bogunović D, Nenadović K, Gajić B, Dimitrijević S, Popović G, Kulišić Z, Milosavljević P.Data on gastrointestinal infections in horses in Southeastern Europe are limited; thus, this study aimed to add to the existing knowledge on this topic by reporting on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of horses in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Methods: In the period from April 2017 to December 2018, parasitological examination of 548 samples from horses of different breed, age and sex from four regions and 18 districts of the country was performed. Coprological diagnostic was done by using qualitative methods without concentration and qualitative methods with concentration of ...
Salinas C, Espinosa G, Morales N, Henríquez C, Morán G, Gajardo G, Burgos RA, Uberti B.Obesity and insulin dysregulation (ID) are increasingly prevalent conditions in equid populations worldwide. Immune impairment is well described in humans with metabolic dysfunction and is reported but still incompletely understood in horses. This study evaluated the effect of acute induced transient hyperglycemia on apoptosis, phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) of lean and obese adult horses with or without insulin dysregulation. Seventeen adult horses were allocated into three groups based on their body condition score (BCS) and metabo...
van Dorland HA, Zanoni R, Gerber V, Jeannerat E, Wiederkehr D, Burger D.Bio-Strath is a plasmolyzed yeast product enriched with herbs, malt, honey and orange juice. In this study, the effect of Equi-Strath , the adapted product for horses, on the equine immune system was evaluated. A routine influenza booster vaccination was used as a model to study the effects of Equi-Strath supplementation on the immune response. Twenty healthy Franches-Montagnes stallions with pre-existing antibody levels were randomly divided into a study group (SG, n = 10) receiving 0.06 mL/kg bodyweight of Equi-Strath , and a control group (CG, n = 10), receiving the same amount of plac...
Mulville P.In the late 1970s, a new infectious disease in horses, involving acute enteritis, was recognised in the Potomac River area of Maryland, U.S.A. The causative agent was identified subsequently as a new species of rickettsial organism, later named Ehrlichia risticii. Since then, the disease has been reported in many other states, and in enzootic areas vaccination is common. Signs associated with the clinical disease included depression, fever, anorexia, decreased or absent intestinal sounds, profuse watery diarrhoea and laminitis. However, considerable variation in clinical manifestations has bee...
Gerdes C, Morgan R, Terry R, Foote A, Smith R.This descriptive anatomical study investigates the relationship between the third interosseous muscle, also known as the suspensory ligament, and the carpometacarpal joint in forelimbs of horses, with the hypothesis that there was a direct synovial communication between these structures as shown by computed tomographic arthrography, histology, and gross anatomy sections. Computed tomography of the carpus and metacarpal region was performed on two groups. Group 1 consisted of eight cadaver limbs undergoing computed tomographic arthrography following injection of a mixture of positive contrast m...
Baker WT, Slone DE, Ramos JA, Santschi EM, Lord LK, Adams SB, Lynch TM, Hughes FE.To evaluate the effect of periosteal transection and elevation in foals with naturally occurring carpal valgus deviation. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Foals (n = 9) with bilateral carpal valgus. Methods: Foals with bilateral carpal valgus had distolateral radial periosteal transection and elevation (PE) including distal ulnar transection on 1 limb. Foals were stall confined until the skin incisions healed, and then allowed free exercise in a small paddock or round pen. Dorsopalmar carpal radiographs were obtained at 14 day intervals to determine the carpal valgus angle (CV...
Brook D.A guarded, sterile swab is used to obtain samples for uterine culture. With the mare in stocks, the tail bandage and the perineum washed, the culture rod is introduced into the vagina with a gloved hand. After the rod is guided through the cervix, the guard cap is dislodged and the swab is rubbed along the endometrium, after which the rod is extracted. Samples for uterine culture should only be obtained during full estrus. Swabs should be directly plated onto agar within 2 hours of collection. Blood agar is appropriate for initial screening, but use of specialized types of agar expedites ident...
Camargo Ferreira J, Silva Amaral R, Mara Cardoso L, Panelli Marchió S, Aldrovani Rodrigues M, Fonseca Alves CE, de Meira C.Ozone (O ) therapy has been used to improve peripheral tissue oxygenation in humans and domestic animals. The goal of the present study was to characterize histological changes in the endometria of healthy equines following tissue exposure to gas mixtures enriched with different concentrations of O . Cycling mares without endometrial degeneration were divided into three groups according to treatment (n = 9 mares/group). The uteri from the O , ½O and control groups were insufflated for 3 min with gas containing 42, 21 and 0 μg O ml , respectively. Treatments were performed every three da...
Winfield LD, White SD, Affolter VK, Renier AC, Dawson D, Olivry T, Outerbridge CA, Wang YH, Iyori K, Nishifuji K.To describe the clinical, histological and immunological findings of an equine case of pemphigus vulgaris, including the demonstration of antidesmoglein (anti-Dsg) autoantibodies. Methods: The diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed in a 9-year-old Welsh pony stallion with both direct and indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation studies, the latter identifying circulating anti-Dsg3 IgG. Treatment with immunosuppressive medications was initiated. Lesions were seen in the perineal area, sheath, mane, tail, eyelids, coronary bands and mucosa of the mouth and oesophagus. Initial c...
Lamkin I, Pugliese B, Nystrom J, Fubini SL, Knickelbein KE.To describe the successful restoration of superior eyelid function in a horse following traumatic avulsion using an advancement flap blepharoplasty and subdermal hyaluronic acid filler. Methods: A 21-year-old American Paint Horse stallion who was attacked by a fellow stallion resulting in numerous traumatic injuries including avulsion of approximately 75% of the left superior eyelid. Methods: With standing sedation and locoregional anesthesia, the superior eyelid wound was debrided and an advancement flap blepharoplasty (H-plasty) and temporary tarsorrhaphy were performed. Routine healing of t...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Drudge JH.Seven critical tests in equids were conducted with single doses of fenbendazole (5 mg kg-1) alone (Panacur--American Hoechst, Somerville, NJ); (2 tests with paste and 1 with suspension formulation) or in combination with piperazine (American Hoechst); (40 mg base kg-1); (4 tests with paste formulation). The main purpose of the tests was evaluation of activity against benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles (Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, and Cylicostephanus longibursatus). Natural infections of 2 populations of benzimidazole-resis...
Yu M, Wang Z, Robinson NE, Derksen FJ.The effects of furosemide on the responses of equine trachealis muscle with and without epithelium to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated in organ baths. Tissues were pretreated with guanethidine and the parameters used for EFS were those previously demonstrated to activate postganglionic cholinergic neurons. In tissues with intact epithelium, furosemide (100 microM) shifted the frequency-response curve to the right. In the preparations without epithelium, furosemide did not affect the response to EFS. Neither in epithelium-on nor in epitheliu...
Waldern NM, Weishaupt MA, Imboden I, Wiestner T, Lischer CJ.To evaluate the effects of shock wave treatment on cutaneous nerve function, compared with the effects of local nerve block and sedation. Methods: 18 clinically sound Swiss Warmbloods. Methods: Horses were randomly allocated to 3 groups and received different amounts and types of shock waves (extracorporeal shock wave treatment [ESWT] or radial pressure wave treatment [RPWT]). Horses were sedated with xylazine and levomethadone. Shock waves were applied to the lateral palmar digital nerve at the level of the proximal sesamoid bones on 1 forelimb. Skin sensitivity was evaluated by means of an e...
Bowker RM, Lancaster LS, Isbell DA.OBJECTIVE To examine the equine foot for the presence of sensory receptors including Merkel cells and small lamellated Pacinian-like corpuscles (SLPCs). SAMPLE Forefeet obtained from 7 horses following euthanasia for reasons other than foot disease. PROCEDURES Disarticulated feet were cut into either sagittal sections or cross sections and immersed in neutral-buffered 4% formalin. Following fixation, samples were obtained from the midline of the dorsal aspect of the hoof wall and from the frog (cuneus ungulae) between the apex and central sulcus. The formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded hoof wall...
Szeredi L, Jánosi S, Tenk M.Klebsiella (K.) oxytoca infection induced the abortion of a female equine fetus in the 10th month of pregnancy. Bacteria were cultured from the liver, lung and stomach content. They were labelled with an anti-Mycobacterium bovis antibody in the thymus, liver and lungs and were stained with Giemsa and Brown-Brenn staining in the thymus and lung. The diffusely consolidated lungs contained numerous grey-whitish foci 2-4 mm in diameter, which corresponded to severe pyogranulomatous pneumonia characterised by numerous intraalveolar neutrophils and macrophages and multinucleated Langhans' giant cell...
Langner K, Vervuert I.The hindgut microbiota of the horse is a complex structure which can be highly influenced by the diet or nutrients such as starch. For instance, a diet rich in starch promotes the growth of bacteria that can utilize starch and produce lactate while it reduces the growth of fiber fermenting cellulolytic bacteria. Therefore, attempts are made to balance the hindgut microbiota and to minimize the impacts of feeds which are rich in starch such as the supplementation of probiotics. Up to date only different strains of the yeast (SC) are officially registered probiotics for horses in the European U...
Roncoron C, Fagiolo A, Amoruso C, De Liberato C.Species of Anoplocephalidae are cestodes affecting equines worldwide and causing many intestinal disorders. Between October 2010 and September 2013, 284 faecal samples of horses originating from Lazio Region (Central Italy) were tested for the presence of Anoplocephala sp. eggs by a classic copromicroscopic technique. Data regarding pasture‑dependence/non dependence, age, and sex of the horses were also collected. Statistical analysis, aimed at detecting possible associations between these variables and Anoplocephala sp. prevalence, was performed. Anoplocephala sp. eggs were found in 13% of ...
Costa MF, Ronchi FA, Ivanow A, Carmona AK, Casarini D, Slocombe RF.Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage has an impact on racehorse performance. Although endoscopic diagnosis (with or without the aid of bronchoalveolar lavage) is considered to be the standard diagnostic method for this condition, the use of biomarkers that could aid in quantifying risk and severity of the condition would represent an advance in equine sport medicine. This preliminary research investigated the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in plasma of racehorses and demonstrated that ACE activity is increased in horses with higher degrees of haemorrhage and is a promisi...
Barbis DP, Bainbridge D, Crump AL, Zhang CH, Antczak DF.A panel of monoclonal antibodies was used to characterize the expression of equine Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II antigens on lymphocytes of horses of different MHC types. MHC class II antigen expression was compared between adult horses and foals, and the level of expression of MHC class II antigens on horse T cell subpopulations was also determined. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from young and adult healthy horses of different MHC haplotypes were labeled with the antibodies and assayed by single- and two-color immunofluorescence flow cytometry. A variation in the expres...
Apprich V, Licka T, Zipfl N, Tichy A, Gabriel C.Hoof canker is described as progressive pododermatitis of the equine hoof with absent epidermal cornification and extensive proliferation of the dermal papillary body; however, in-depth research on the type of proliferative activity has not yet been reported. The aim of the present study was to determine cell-specific proliferation patterns together with morphological analysis of hoof canker tissue. Tissues removed during surgery from 19 horses presented for treatment of canker were compared with similar postmortem tissues of healthy hooves of 10 horses. Morphological alterations visible in li...
